Samatar crossing art project

The project created artwork placed at each end of Samatar Crossing. It is a pedestrian and bike path that connects downtown to the West Bank.

Project details

Partner

Public Works

Budget

$250,000

Status

Completed 2024.

About the project

The Samatar Crossing art project honors Hussein Samatar. He was first Somali-American elected to public office in Minneapolis. Hussein Samatar’s legacy is one of bridging cultures.

Learn more about Hussein Samatar 

Samatar Crossing

Samatar Crossing is path that connects downtown Minneapolis to the West Bank. It includes a pedestrian and bike trail. Common Currents is an artwork created to honor Hussein Samatar at the Crossing.

Comment currents

This unique public art features:

  • Two wave-shaped sculptures with bright colorful steel panels
  • A theme of immigrant journeys to Minneapolis
  • Symbolism for the journey people take to begin new chapters in their lives
  • A poem written by local poets on each panel which shares memories, stories, and hopes of the community

See the list of artists and poets

Colorful waves sculpture at Samatar Crossing. Photo credit: Common Currents by Randy Walker

Artists

  • Ifrah Mansour
  • Randy Walker
  • Aaron Marx

Poets

  • Sun Yung Shin
  • Sharon M. Day
  • ShaVunda Brown
  • Aegor
  • Ahmed Said Salah
  • Sixco
  • Mohamed Shariff

History

Hussein Samatar passed away in 2013. His personal story and professional contributions made an enormous impact. He was born in Somalia in 1964. He migrated to Minnesota in 1991.

He served on the board of a several civic and development organizations.

Samatar worked hard to support immigrants. He helped many people succeed as they moved between cultures and built new lives.

Samatar's legacy of building bridges between cultures lives on.

Read more about Samatar on Wikipedia

Contact us

Kirstin Wiegmann

Arts & Cultural Affairs

Email Kirstin Wiegmann

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415